2010 Sierra in the shop for engine tick

All Terrain Trav · February 15, 2012

My 2010 Sierra 1500 5.3 Z71, 55k miles, is in the shop to try and cure ticking that has been driving me nuts. It has the 5-10 sec startup tick, which apparently alot of people do and I have gotten used to, but my main concern is that it continues while driving, most noticible at low speeds, 2000-2500 RPM, especially when towing. After some reading here and elsewhere, I learned there was a TSB regarding this about replacing the lifters. When I took it in to the dealer, the guy said he wasnt aware of any such TSB but he would look into it. Got a call from them yesterday, said they were replacing the cam actuator. Anyone here know if the cam actuator would cause such a problem? I had myself convinced it was the lifters. Truck should be ready tomorrow, so we shall see.

BlackZ71Silverado · February 15, 2012

From other issues like this that I have seen, it is the AFM lifter that get replaced. This is the first cam actuator being replaced that I know of for lifter tick. Hopefully the tick won't be there, it would suck to give it back to them to replace the lifters if it still ticks when you get it.....Make sure you know what kind of oil they put in the truck. Not saying they will but in the past, some dealers quiet the tick with heavy oil.